Champions League fever

A few things stick in my mind from the last time Chelsea played Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney's brilliant finish is one; Michael Ballack's assured penalty is another. (The German is as good a penalty taker as Eric Cantona and Gaizka Mendieta were.)

Darren Fletcher falling asleep to let Ballack score his first also comes to mind, as does Ricardo Carvalho's terrible back pass.

But what I remember most is the performance of Michael Essien. Ballack got all the plaudits for his two goals, but it was the Ghananian who ran the show. (Moscow's gain is Sydney's loss this week).

Essien was everywhere. Power, strength, marauding runs, passing, dribbling - the midfielder has it all and put in a consumate performance. No wonder Alex Ferguson was desperate to sign him from Lyon.

But come 4.45am on Thursday, Essien will not be lining up in midfield. Rather, he is almost certain to be at right-back.

And the wasteful use of the former Lyon player is one of the reasons why I think United will win the Champions League.

Essien destroyed United's (admittedly slightly weakened) midfield and the champions will remember that. To see him at right-back will be a huge boost to Ferguson's men. There's no way he can do as much damage from there.

'The Bison' is an intimidating presence and has the ability to dominate a game in the same way a Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira used to. To waste that talent is an aberration on Chelsea's part.

OK, so I hear you saying, 'But where would Essien play? Lampard is back and is Chelsea's top scorer this season, you can't leave Ballack out, and the super-experienced Claude Makelele protects the back four.'

On the face of it right-back appears the only option and Chelsea are admittedly weak in that position. (Why on earth the Blues signed up right-back Paulo Ferreira to a new five-year contract only a few months ago is beyond me).

Avram Grant has probably weighed up the positives and negatives and decided he's got less to lose if he plays Essien at right-back. I think he's wrong.

I would pick Essien instead of Makelele or Lampard. (I can hear the cries of derision as I write this, but hear me out).

Makelele hasn't impressed all season and he's not the player he was. He's in the team on reputation alone. He can't cover the ground he used to and has lost some pace.

Essien could comfortably do Makelele's job. He is equal to the Frenchman in terms of discipline and ability to sit and hold, but (and here's where he stands out) he can also get forward if required and can offer a goal-scoring threat.

As for Lampard, yes there's no doubt he's been fantastic for Chelsea and that he's a wonderful player [and yes, he did show tremendous character to take that penalty in the semi-final], but I just think they are better-balanced with one of him or Ballack (just like England are with one of either Lampard or Steven Gerrard).

If Lampard was dropped, Chelsea would then have the balance of the holding and tackling ability of Makelele (or the exceptionally gifted Jon Obi Mikel if they chose), the brute power and endless energy of Essien, and the guile, craftsmanship and midfield goal-scoring ability of Ballack. What a combination that would be!

(A little aside - note how Chelsea haven't been in a rush to re-sign Lampard who only has one year left on his current deal. Next season, I believe Chelsea's first choice three will be Essien, Mikel and Ballack, and Lampard will be playing elsewhere.)

And the point is that the Essien, Makelele, Ballack combination would hurt Manchester United more.

With Ferguson intent on playing 4-2-3-1 with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick in midfield (they will play behind a three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and (probably) Park Ji-Sung, with Carlos Tevez up front), United are vulnerable to being overrun in the middle of the park.

And who better to run over them than Essien. Scholes and Carrick pass the ball better than Essien, but they don't have his endless energy, pace, tackling ability or power.

United are exposed to the influence of a midfield enforcer like Essien and he would undoubtedly restrict the influence of the United pair. If they were on the back foot their ability to do what they do best - create - would be severely restricted.

The match at Stamford Bridge last month is a case in point. Lampard was missing, Essien played in midfield and Chelsea put in their best performance of the season.

Chelsea are missing a golden opportunity to take the initiative and grab this game by the scruff of the neck.

Who will win?

Chelsea will be confident after April's 2-1 victory, but I think United will win it.

United are riding the crest of a wave after winning the league and go into the game with much less pressure. Chelsea on the otherhand are trophyless and Avram Grant probably has to win to keep his job. The pressure is on.

Chelsea do have the world's best goalkeeper in Petr Cech, and they have Didier Drogba (sorely missed through injury this season), who always rises to the occasion in big games, but I think United are marginally the more talented team, are better defensively and carry a bigger all-round threat.

And as for the footballing gods, everything points to a United triumph. It's 50 years since the Munich air disaster, 40 years since their first European Cup and Ryan Giggs will break Bobby Charlton's appearance record if he plays. United believe fate is on their side.

And so do I - 2-1 to United is my prediction.

The ref

Lubos Michel will be in charge. Chelsea fans will say they are worried as he is the guy that gave that Luis Garcia goal that never was in the Champions League semi-final in 2005. However, United fans will say they are worried because they think Michel will want to make it up to Chelsea. This is all rubbish. Michel will referee the game on his merits.

Who do you think will win? What teams do you think the managers will pick? Would you play Essien in midfield? What do you think the score will be? How much do you love football?

Posted
by Brian BrownsteinMay 21, 2008 7:59 AM

LATEST COMMENTS

Chelsea are hungrier for the win and I believe will win marginally.

Posted by: Peter on May 21, 2008 8:34 AM

you've got to be jking. emitting owen hargreaves for michael carrick is like putting makelele (who was TERRIBLE against liverpool) on for Ballack.

hargreaves is our wall. SOOOOOO solid. park ji sung will start off imo. giggs to take his spot, experience and sentiment from ferguson (record appearances)

Posted by: united_fan on May 21, 2008 8:37 AM

I agree with your teams - with the exceptions that Hargreaves starts for Carrick - and on the Chelsea side Kalou starts instead of Malouda.

I actually see Chelsea coming out on top...either 1-0 in regulation or via penalties.

Word is the pitch is quite poor, which will more suit Chelsea's 'route one' style.

Also don't discount the Abramovich-Moscow factor....Chelsea's owner has put hundreds of millions of pounds into his team and I would imagine a number of 'little tricks' would have been put in place to make ManU's stay less than ideal.

ANyone in doubt feel free to read up about the Oligarchs and the influence they have in Russia.

I'd prefer ManU to win as they play the better football but I suspect Chelsea will win in a less than pretty game of football.

Posted by: Nick Granger on May 21, 2008 8:42 AM

I think your line ups are pretty spot on but i dont think Malouda will start.
I would also play Essien in midfield as he is in good form and scoring goals consistently of late.

But in the end United will win with too much attacking power and game breakers on and off the bench. United's defence is also back to the best four going round.

United 3-1 Rooney, Ronaldo, Scholes & Drogba

United for the double!

Glory Glory

Posted by: Matt on May 21, 2008 8:46 AM

I've been thinking about this a bit too. Essien looks to be a player at his peak and is definitely outplaying Makelele and Lampard at the moment. The only problem is that if you don't have Essien at right back then Ronaldo, Rooney and Teves will have a chance to exploit chelsea on the left flank. Even at right back Essien can make good attacking runs when the opportunity arises so I think Grant is going for the percentages (I think I would too).

So the sides? I agree with your ManU side except Giggs will start instead of Park. Shevchenko is my guess for a shock start (Roman gets what Roman wants) ahead of Kalou (Malouda won't feature).

One excellent point you make is that Lampard and Gerrard shouldn't be playing in the same side and I completely agree. The reason Chelsea aren't cleaning up at the moment is that they have too many chiefs and not enough indians. Lampard should revert to Makelele's position and allow Essien to take centre midfield.

I think Drogba had a bad game vs Bolton but he won't be having a bad game tonight...I am going for ManU but I think Chelsea will win with Drogba scoring two or three.

Posted by: DAN on May 21, 2008 8:48 AM

I think, and being a long time and sometimes long suffering Chelsea fan hope that they win. My greatest wish is that the game does not turn out like the coma inducing 2007 FA Cup final. I cant see this happening though as Chelsea seem to have found some flair and cohesion under Avram, who would have thought! I think Chelsea have a far better squad with more depth and talent across the park, but lack someone who can score 41 goals in a season like Ronaldo, (Drogba was sorely missed this year with many injuries). What a season for the Portugese hair model! Although there are some other great United players, I think Christiano was the key to their success this year. If Chelsea keep him under wraps, and play to the top level that we have seen. Roman's gazillions will have been worth it and Avram may keep his job! Go Chelski!

Posted by: Cam on May 21, 2008 8:51 AM

I really hope Man U take it out, but would honestly be content with Chelsea winning as well. Chelsea have been only a step behind Man U most of the season, so for them to have had such a great season, and to have nothing to show except two runners-up medals... well I would be disappointed.

Posted by: Meat Grinder on May 21, 2008 9:24 AM

I hope Man Utd win (can't believe i'm saying this as an Arsenal fan!) with Park grabbing the winner. But I have a feeling Chelski will prevail after extra-time..

Essien is such a solid player and I do believe he is wasted as a RB, but if he played in CM, that would mean one of Makelele, Lampard or Ballack missing out.

As for Man Utd, the team you predicted is probably the team that will start.

Posted by: goonerdoy on May 21, 2008 9:34 AM

This match is too tight to call...

Tevez was instrumental against Wigan and is renowned as a big game player...

Ronaldo struggles against legitimate defenses and you wont see him get past the Chelsea defense as he did against Lucas Neil when they played West Ham.

Posted by: One Carlos Tevez on May 21, 2008 9:35 AM

"Yawn"

0-0 at the end of extra time, chelsea on penalties with ronaldo to put his in Row Z, it will be a dour encounter with neither team wanting to lose

Posted by: King Red on May 21, 2008 9:39 AM

Tevez will dominate.

Be interesting to see if Ronaldo chokes for another big game.

Posted by: deano on May 21, 2008 9:51 AM

Should be a great game, hopefully better than the pedestrian FA Cup.

I fully agree that Essien is Chelsea's dynamo. While the rest of the team are often fiddle farting around passing the ball backwards ( including the over-rated Mikel and the reliable but unadventurous Terry ), Essien always threatens to power through any defence.

I reckon Ballack has been playing well, but I would probably still keep Lampard and replace Makelele with E. This might not benefit the supposed "balance" of the side but Essien's presence in midfield would help put the wind up Man U.

It's often easier to say who should be left out of the Blues' team than to determine who should be selected - Wright-Phillips has gone for a burton thanks to Avram ( thankfully ) and dud Malouda hasn't cut the French mustard. Maybe Sheva will get a Moscow guernsey and find the net.

Man U has many gifted plyers especially Scholes, Ronaldo & Rooney, but if Drogba can also muscle up and stop posing Chelsea might have a faint hope of victory.

Ronaldo and the boys will bring the UCL home to Old Trafford 'The Theatre of Dreams'.

Posted by: Val on May 21, 2008 10:39 AM

Park is gonna start; just check the records of united's past 10 games. Park started 9games including both games against Barcelona and Roma. and seriously what has giggs done recently apart from his goal against wigan?

Tevez may be the one left out for an option on the bench if hargreaves is to start

Posted by: JK on May 21, 2008 10:41 AM

Hate to be a pessimist, but anyone who watched the FA Cup Final between these two knows how boring this game is going to be.

I can't see myself waking up for this, which will be the first time in a long time for me.

Posted by: Kiran Shukla on May 21, 2008 10:49 AM

Complacency at the final stages has always been United downfall....Stay composed and Chelsea will have no chance...

Posted by: United fan on May 21, 2008 10:57 AM

I agree totally with everything this blog says. I also think brian borwnstein smells funny

Posted by: ben on May 21, 2008 11:04 AM

Brian, I wholeheartedly agree with your first choice teams for the final but think the real surprise will be on the subs bench. I reckon Fergie will have Bobby Charlton on the bench instead of Ryan Giggs so that Charlton will remain Man Utd’s most capped player and Giggs will then retire in the close season as Man Utd’s second most capped player. Bobby was the most gifted goal scorer in his day and I reckon he still has one match still in him.

Posted by: I dislike Jack Charlton on May 21, 2008 11:13 AM

The battle of the Titans eh? Financial Titans that is. If they were to fully represent each corporation, the make up of the 2 teams on the field should be marketing executives in front, sales reps in mid-field, accountants at the back, and a spin doctor in goal.

Posted by: Football? on May 21, 2008 11:21 AM

I don't care who lines up as long as MAN U wins !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: JDV on May 21, 2008 11:36 AM

Hi,

He's not defintely signed, but looks likely. Steve Kutner is Lampard's agent and he's mates with Massimo Moratti, the Inter president. Kutner also took Paul Ince to Inter so he's got good links there. And of course Jose Mourinho looks likely to take over as boss. Watch this space I guess.

Thanks Brian

----------------------------------------------------------------

Lampard has now signed with Inter Milan so they didn't have him in their plans at all to keep him on

Posted by: at work on May 21, 2008 11:54 AM

I agree with "I dislike Jack Charlton". Bobby charlton to start alongside Roy Keane and Sparky hughes up front with Sheringham and the baby faced assissain.

There is no way Ferguson will pick Giggs just because of sentimentality. This is the most important game of the season and a trophy that Ferguson really wants to win. The team will be picked based on what Ferguson thinks gives him the best chance of winning. And it wont be giggs.

Posted by: Bored in Macq on May 21, 2008 12:26 PM

we've won it five times :)

YNWA

Posted by: King Red on May 21, 2008 12:57 PM

If I was a betting man I would be putting my money on Man U - safe as houses (but not in the Syndey market).

But I am a hopeless romantic so I am backing Chelsea - imagine the euphoria world wide if they win. There are far more Man U haters in the world than there are Chelsea haters. Chelsea will have their own fans and the Man U haters backing them, where Man U will only have their own fans backing them.

Cmon Chelsea!!!!

Posted by: Stavro on May 21, 2008 1:03 PM

Regarding Lampard leaving Chelsea:

From Lampard himself:

'I'm very happy at Chelsea, it's been the best days of my career. My future will be sorted out in the summer, myself and the club have said we want to speak about my contract in the summer. Now is not the time to think about that.'

Lampards agent Steve Kutner:
"I don't know why Inter Milan would think this. Nobody has talked to me and I am good friends with the owner, Massimo Moratti. 'I took Paul Ince there, I took Patrick Vieira there - if there was something on, I am sure I would know.

There you, considering his possibly home sick partner, Spain is more likely

Posted by: Cam on May 21, 2008 1:06 PM

Talking of omens, this match will be 37 years to the day since Chelsea won their first European title, against Real Madrid on the 21st of May 1971.

I don't understand how Brownstain can praise Ballack so much over Lampard. Lampard is Chelsea's regular penalty taker, I mean can you name even once that he has missed from the spot for the Blues? Yet Ballack scores one for Chelsea and he is suddenly being held up as good as being the stuff of "Eric Cantona and Gaizka Mendieta".

The Lampard/Gerrard comparison is a cheap and lazy shot to take, and does not apply in the slightest to Chelsea, who have never had a problem fielding both successfully. If anyone should be dropped it should be Ballack, who regularly, every game, passes the ball to thin air for a throw in.

As for some joker suggesting Lampard play in the Makelele role, your having a laugh, mate. And the guy who said he "has signed for inter milan" obviously knows something the rest of the world does not, since this has been denied consistently, including in today's press, by Lampard, his agent and the club. Keep dreaming, sonny.

I expect Man U to play negatively and try to contain Chelsea, but the blues will ultimately be too strong in midfield, and will win by one goal.

Posted by: Slippery Jim on May 21, 2008 1:24 PM

Seeing as we are talking about omens its 14 years to the day since Makelele's mother met Nani's mother at a bullfight in Spain. Not sure who this is an omen for though because the bull had a Liverpool jersey

Omens have nothing to do with who is going to win

Posted by: Bored in Macq on May 21, 2008 1:56 PM

If Lampard and Drogba are on song Chelsea will win comfortably. Essien can get forward from right back and still get back to defend, so him playing there is not a big concern. I would much rather Essien at right back than Belleti or Ferrera who have looked pants all season. Bosingwa can't start quick enough. And the Lampard rumours come round every summer except this time its Inter not Barca. Its all mind games much like Ronaldo going to Real Madrid. Prediction Chelsea 3 (Drogba x2, J Cole) Man U 1 (Ronaldo (who else?))

Posted by: Dan on May 21, 2008 2:04 PM

I predict at least one red card (bets on for Scholes) in the first half - that will decide who wins.

Posted by: Kic Noffill on May 21, 2008 2:05 PM

I would pick Essien instead of Makelele or Lampard. (I can hear the cries of derision as I write this, but hear me out).

As a Chelsea supporter I have to say your anayisis of the structure of the Chelsea team is interesting but not sure I totally agree with you about Essien..

All you say about him is true but the right back spot suits him better than in the midfield..

He does a lot of damage there with great runs down the right flank and has great penertration.. Which is vital for the team creating width on the right flank..

No I would not change anthing at the moment.. It has strenght and vision all over the park.. Chelsea to win 2-0

~~~~
KB

Posted by: Koala Bear on May 21, 2008 2:51 PM

I believe (as others) that this match will be a tentative, defensive snooze-fest. The plan: switch on at kick-off, set the alarm for 120 minutes plus half-time plus stoppages, and wake up for the penalties.

Posted by: Liam on May 21, 2008 3:35 PM

I actually think Grant will try something different, playing Drogba/Shevchenko or Drogba/Anelka up forward, omitting a left wing and playing Joe Cole out wide; putting as much forward pressure as possible from the outset would seem like a viable option for me.

Pride of London for the cup!

Posted by: J.M. on May 21, 2008 3:36 PM

Chelsea better pull out all the stops as maybe their last chance seeing Ramon has lost interest. QPR to be the new team with 3 billionaires on board.

Posted by: David Jones on May 21, 2008 3:59 PM

Who gives a diving Ronaldo? A contest between a multilateral clothing company and a bunch of greedy mercenaries! Whoever wins, football (and in particular, English football) is the loser. KK is right - the premiership is predictable and dull! The only good result would be for the 2 sets of fans to get stuck into one another and for both clubs to be banned from Europe for 10 years!

Posted by: who cares on May 21, 2008 4:08 PM

I think Essien needs to play at RB to frustrate that diving Portuguese hand-bag rack.
Why do people keep going back to the dull F.A. cup final? What about the more recent and exhilarating EPL clash?

Posted by: Gavin on May 21, 2008 4:34 PM

Chelsea will win purely based on the fact that i go for them!!!

go the Blues!!

Posted by: tbot on May 21, 2008 6:36 PM

Michael Essien will be the difference

Posted by: Ben Jones on May 21, 2008 7:22 PM

i think Chelsea will be more motivated to win it

i think everyone has overhyped Man U - considering they only won the title by 2 points and were very lucky to escape against Barcelona

Posted by: Mark on May 21, 2008 10:57 PM

This absolutely has to be the worst possible final outcome in the history of the CL. Actually no the Milans was probably the worst, but this will be a close second. I'm going to hold my nose and support the blues as I can't bear to see Sir Purpleface spouting off.

Posted by: DonJuanito on May 21, 2008 11:52 PM

Congratulations to Man U and Chelsea. A magnificent game almost played in the right spirit, but the football was fabulous from both teams.

It had everything I had hoped for but a Chelsea win..

Congratulations to all for putting on a fantastic final, and in the end it had to be separated by penalties; a cruel way to lose a UCL Final. Unfortunately, we can only have one winner and this time it was Man U, and worthy winners of the double..

To Smeggers and Funky, congratulations of becoming this year's runners up in the SMH Flog sledging tournament. You guys gave Slippery and I a good run for our money..

I am already looking forward to next year for the new European and Sledging Season..

Slippery Jim,
we were fantastic in the sledging department. However, it was just not quite enough to get the lads over the line.. Better luck to us next year... Cheers..

But now we can turn our attentions to the best league in the world.

The Australian Hyundai A-League..

With SFC on a crusade to become the first FIFA World Club Cup Champions in and of Australia..

~~~~~~
KB

Posted by: Koala Bear on May 22, 2008 8:54 AM

Posted by: Koala Bear on May 22, 2008 8:54 AM

Ha ha! Cheers KB! The banter has been fun, and I daresay there'll be more of the same next season. Congrats also to your boys for putting on a great show this morning - such a close game, and it really could have gone either way. At least it actually lived up to the hype this time!!

Posted by: funkymarinette on May 22, 2008 2:19 PM

Great game. The only thing that marred it for me is the way SBS treats it's football viewers with utter contempt. To view such an event in 4:3 and top it off with the crappy compression they put over the top, it really mitigates the experience. What is with that?

Fozzie made my skin crawl even more than usual today too. He actually used the word "flumoxxed" in a sentence. And is there no one else SBS can get to wake up at 4am in the morning to do colour commentary rather than "Paulo" Okon? I had trouble staying awake as it was!

Posted by: Veela on May 22, 2008 5:13 PM

Makelele can't cover ground? Whoever wrote this please review the matches and see how much distance Makelele covers during a game....
I don't understand why sports writer's play the age card with Makelele...it shows inexperience.